Desmond Tutu And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; he remained there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love; he gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s care all the prisoners who were in the prison, and whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The chief jailer paid no heed to anything that was in Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.- Genesis 39:20-23 The good news is that God loves me long before I could have done anything to deserve it.

-Desmond Tutu Receive, Lord, the offering of our lives : that every breath might be holy to you.

- from Common Prayer

Oscar A. Romero

LENT Archbishop Oscar Romero

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace."

- James 3:17-18

“A church that doesn’t provoke any crisis, a gospel that doesn’t unsettle, a word of God that doesn’t get under anyone’s skin, a word of God that doesn’t touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed – what gospel is that?”

- Archbishop Oscar Romero

God, release us from everything within our minds that would keep us bound to limitation, suffering, forgetfulness, and fear. We want to be free... Please direct out thoughts and guide our visions. Help us to see in all people only what you would have us see, and help us to see in ourselves only what you would have us see. Show us the way to healing and to peace. Amen.

God of healing, we pray for those who are in pain -- physical or emotional, real or imagined. Lord, only you know the depths of their suffering. You alone know the path to healing and recovery. In your mercy, wipe away their aches and pains, their headaches and heartaches. Amen.

Kahlil Gibran

LENT Kahlil Gibran﻿

"Those who ignore instruction despise themselves, but those who heed admonition gain understanding. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor."

- Proverbs 15:32-33

"Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy."

- Kahlil Gibran

O God, you are the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, and the fountain of blessings. Water us with plenteous streams from the riches of your grace; and from the most sweet springs of your kindness, make us children of quietness and heirs of peace. Amen.